Method of applying handles to a series of bags



Nov. l0, 1964 w. o. HALL ETAL METHOD OF APPLYING HANDLES TO A SERIES OF BAGS Filed July 25, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ELFIH INVENTORS zum; /4/1 0, m4

Nov. 10, 1964 w. o. HALL ETAL 3,156,206

' METHOD oF APPLYING HANDLEs To A SERIES oF BAGS Filed July 25, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR5 UML/4M @HALL #4.44465 @Pff/MP5 BYBQM Nov. 10, 1964 w. o. HALL ETAL METHOD OF APPLYING HANDLES TO A SERIES OF BAGS Filed July 25, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3- zu C f6 z2 jj y OLH.. TLM I mmf, mo/N .0 m4 u MW v.. B

United States Patent O 3,156,206 METHD F APLYING HANDLES T0 A SERIES 0F BAGS William 0. Hall, 129 William Way, Pittsburg, Calif., and Wallace G. Phillips, 509 W. th St., Antioch, Calif. Filed luly 25, 1961, Ser. No. 126,595 4 Claims. (Cl. 112-262) This invention relates generally to a mechanism and method for applying carrying handles to preformed bag type containers.

More particularly, this invention relates to a method and machine for closing an open end of a bag type container while at the same time a carrying handle is secured to a predetermined portion of such bag. Still more particularly, thisinvention relates to the application of a preformed carrying handle to a bag adjacent an end thereof as such bag end is simultaneously closed and sealed by a length of tape folded over such end and secured thereto.

While this invention is particularly advantageous when employed with respect to relatively large multi-Wall paper bags of the type commonly used to package relatively heavy products such as granulated sugar, chemicals, cement, or other food or industrial products, it should be understood that the same is applicable in the manufacture of bags of various sizes and constructions.

With multi-wall bags of the type mentioned which are intended to package twenty-live or more pounds of a given product, difficulty is frequently encountered in handling such bags by the purchasing public, particularly by Women shoppers. Accordingly, it has become a frequent practice of bag manufacturers to incorporate therewith carrying handle constructions of various types.

In summary, the subject invention involves an improved handle applying mechanism and method by means of which a preformed handle construction may be readily applied to each of a series of bags in a continuous and high speed operation. This invention also involves use of novel means for feeding and positioning successive handles relative to successive bags of a series moving past the handle applying station of the subject mech- -i anism. Preferably, the handles are applied to the successive bags in conjunction with the simultaneous closing and sealing of a bag end by employing a length of closing tape foldable over the bag end and a portion of Vthe carrying handle in the manner to be described.

Other objects of this invention include the provision of a method for simultaneously closing a bag end and securing a carrying handle thereto; the provision of mechanism for carrying out such method rapidly and economically; the provision of means for feeding successive bag handles from a handle supply and for properly positioning the same relative to a series of moving bags; and the provision of novel structure for locating a supply of handles to be applied to moving bags including means for permitting withdrawal of single handles from the supply While the remaining handles of the supply are restrained.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification in which reference is directed to the accompanying drawings.

FiG. l is a generally schematic plan view illustrating the sequential procedure for applying successive preformed handles to a series of moving bags;

FIG. 2 is a partially schematic plan view of a mechanism for carrying out the handle applying and bag closing method of the subject invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view through the mechanism of the subject invention taken in the plane of line 3-.-3 of FIG. 2; Y

3,156,2@6 Patented Nov. 10, 1964 ICC FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the subject mechanism taken in the plane of line 4 4 of FIG. 3',

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional View through the subject mechanism taken in the plane of line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view through the subject mechanism taken in the plane of line 6 6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional View on an enlarged scale taken in the plane of line '7--7 of FIG. 2 illustrating details of a bag end after a handle has been secured thereto; and

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a preformed handle of the type desirably employed with this invention.

Referring rst to FIG. l, which schematically illustrates the handle applying and bag end closing procedure employed in this invention, a series of open-ended paper bags l of any desired construction are conveyed in slightly spaced relationship and in continuous fashion by a conveyor 2 of any conventional construction. The conveyor illustrated comprises a pair of spaced conveyor chains each of Which has a plurality of spaced lugs thereon adapted to engage and move successive bags of the series in a horizontal plane over a bag supporting table in the direction indicated by the arrows past a handle applying station generally designated 3. A supply of preformed handles 4 is positioned in a suitable hopper structure at said handle applying station. Each of such handles is of preformed construction ofthe type to be described.

As each bag 1 of the bag series is moved by the conveyor past the handle applying station, a handle is withdrawn from the hopper structure and is positioned in engagement with a predetermined portion of the bag to be subsequently secured to the bag.

Desirably, a length of bag end closing tape 6 is withdrawn from a suitable tape supply mounted adjacent the handle applying station, and is folded by a tape folder 7 at such station over each bag end of the bag series and over a portion of the handle applied to each bag. Feeding of successive handles from the hopper structure is effected in timed relationship with movement of the successive bags past the handle applying station and with folding of the tape over each bag end so that a handle is properly located relative to each bag as the tape is folded over the bag end.

Upon continued movement of each successive bag relative to the handle applying station, the tape is withdrawn from the tape supply and the handle positioned between the folded tape and the bag is drawn with the tape and the bag from the handle applying station to an adjacent station 8 at which means is provided for securing both the tape and the handle to the bag. In the embodiment illustrated, such means at station S comprises a stitcher which applies a continuous line of stitching through the tape, a portion of the handle and the bag end whereby the handle is secured to the bag simultaneously with closing of the bag end.

So that the handle appiying and bag closing operation may be performed continuously, the tape is applied over each bag end in continuous fashion, and the line of stitching also is applied through the tape and the successive bag ends and the handles attached thereto in continuous `fashion so that all successive bags of the series are intercnd is closed to retain the contents therein in any well known manner.

As seen in FlG. l, preferably, each handle is applied to each bag so that the grippable portion of the handle extends away from the bag end adjacent which it is se cured. That is, the handle overlies and contacts one` surface of the bag and does not normally project beyond the end margin thereof. When the handle is employed to carry the bag, the handle is reversely bent generally along the line defined by the line of stitching applied through the bag. Because the handle preferably is formed from strong yet bendable material, preferably a suitable plastic, it may be reversely bent without weakening or damaging the same.

While the subject invention may be used for applying handles of various constructions and configurations, a handle construction which has been found to be particularly desirable is illustrated in FIG. 8.

Each handle 4 preferably is formed from a sturdy yet bendabie plastic, such as polyethylene, and includes a generally D-snaped body 11 having a handhole 12 through which a hand may be inserted. To make the handle more comfortable for grasping by the hand of a user, the outer graspable portion 13 is formed with a greater thickness than is the inner portion 14 which is employed for securing the handle to the bag. The increased thickness of the graspable portion 13 also tends to rigidity the handle and maintain the same fiat so that each handle may more easily be fed from the hopper structure in the manner to be described. That is, the thicker graspable portion 13 makes the handle more resistant to curling or bending so that the same will lie generally llat in the hopper struc ture and on the bag to which it is attached. The thinner portion 14 of the handle preferably is generally flat so that the same may be reversely bent when the handle is grasped to support the weight of a lilled bag.

An important feature of the mechanism of this invention resides in the construction of the handle supply hopper Structure incorporated therein. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hopper structure, generally designated 2l., is supported generally vertically over the table 22 on which the bags 1 are slidably moved by the spaced chains 23 of the conveyor 2. Hopper structure 21 is supported above the table 22 adjacent one edge thereof by a generally rectangular frame 24 (see HG. 2). intermediate its end the hopper structure is provided with a pair of angle brackets 25 (see FG. 3) bolted or otherwise secured to opposite front and rear walls 26 and 27 of the hopper structure. Such front and rear walls cooperate with side walls ZS and 29 to define an elongated, rectangular hopper bin 31. it is in such hopper bin 31 that a supply of handles 4 are positioned one on top of the other in vertical alignment.

The hopper bin is supported by the frame mentioned previously. That is, the hopper bin is positioned with its lower end through the frame with brackets 2S contacting the upper surface of the frame and secured thereto by screws as seen in FIG. 3. Frame in turn is secured to a framework 32 (FlG. 2) positioned over the bag conveyor in any suitable manner.

Means is provided in conjunction with the hopper structure for supporting the supply of handles therein. Such means comprises an elongated supporting plate 33 (FGS. 3 and 5), which also serves as a bag hold down plate, located beneath the hopper and spaced from the bottom 34 of the hopper. A handle discharge slot 36 is provided between the hopper bottom 34 and the upper surface of the plate 33. Successive lowermost handles of the supply are removed by the handle feeding and positioning means to be described through such slot. The supporting plate is maintained in fixed spaced relationship relative to the hopper bottom in any suitable manner, such as by bolting the same in spaced depending relationship from the aforementioned framework as seen at 37 in FIG. 3.

Because the handles 4 to be applied to the bags are not normally manufactured to close tolerances, and because the same, particularly at their inner portions 14, may tend to curl or bend, it is generally not feasible to have the vertical dimension of the slot substantially equal to the maximum thickness of the handle. That is, so that proper feeding of the individual handles from the hopper may be insured without the handles becoming caught in the slot as the same are withdrawn therethrough, the slot 36 preferably is of greater vertical extent than the maximum average thickness of the handles to be fed therethrough, as seen in FIG. 5.

To preclude feeding of more than one handle from the hopper at a time, means is provided in conjunction with the hopper structure to restrain the remaining handles in the supply as the lowermost handle is Withdrawn from the bottom of the hopper. As seen in FIGS. 3 through 5, such means comprises a floating mandrel 33 of light weight material, such as balsa wood or the like. The mandrel is free to move vertically in the hopper and normally is supported along with the handle supply by the supporting plate 33. As the lowermost handle of the supply is withdrawn from the hopper by the means to be described, the mandrel is raised vertically by the lowermost handle a distance substantially equal to the maximum thickness of the withdrawn handle. Because the mandrel is moved vertically directly due to engagement thereof by a handle being withdrawn, the mandrel moves a distance just suliicient to allow one handle to pass through the slot. However, the remaining handles of the supply are still engaged with the mandrel and all are retained in the hopper by the mandrel.

As seen in FlG. 4, the mandrel is located within the handhole 12 of each handle and, preferably, the mandrel cross section conforms to the shape of such handhole. Also, as seen in FIG. 5, the lower end of the mandrel preferably is slightly rounded to facilitate passage of the lowermost handle therebeneath during feeding of such handle.

While the bin 31 of the hopper in which the handle supply is positioned is of generally rectangular configuration as seen in the drawings, preferably a sheet metal positioning plate 41 is bolted Iat 42 within the hopper bin to the rear wall 27 of the hopper. As seen in FIG. 4, plate 41 conforms at least partially with the curved configuration of the thicker graspable portion 13 of each handle. This positioning plate 41 cooperates with the mandrel 3S in insuring that individual handles are successively withdrawn from the hopper. As seen in FIG. 5, the bottom 43 of the positioning plate is spaced above the supporting plate 33 a distance only slightly greater than the maximum average thickness of the handles to be fed from the hopper so that only one handle may pass between the bottom of plate 41 and supporting plate 33.

Because the hopper slot 36 is larger than the maximum thickness :of the handle, even if the thin portions 14 of the successive handles are somewhat curled or distorted, they may readily be moved through the slot. However, the thicker graspable portions 13 of each handle are generally rigid and resist distortion so that the plate 41 engaged with such thicker portions is effective to preclude, with the mandrel, the removal of more than one handle at a time.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 6, the means for feeding the successive lowermost handles of the handle supply from the hopper and for automatically positioning the withdrawn handles in engagement with predetermined portions of successive bags `of the bag series will be described. For effecting removal of successive handles from the handle supply in the hopper structure, a member is provided which is movable through the slot generally beneath back wall 27 and side wall 23 thereof into engagement with the lowermost handle of the supply. In the embodiment illustrated, the movable member comprises a reciprocatable slide member 46 which is advanced and retracted relative to the hopper structure through slot 36. Preferably, as best seen in FIG. 6, slide member 46 is of substantially the same thickness as the thicker portion 13 of a handle so that maximum contact may be established therebetween. Also, as seen in FIG. 2, the outer end of the slide member conforms at least partially to the configuration of portion 13 of each handle.

Means is provided for advancing and retracting the slide member between the extended position seen in solidlines in FIG. 2 and the retracted position seen in phantom lines in such figure. Recipnocation of the slide member is effected in timed relationship with movement of the bags carried beneath the hopper structure by the bag conveyor. In the embodiment illustrated, as best seen in FIG. 2, the means for reciprocating the slide member comprises a conventional air cylinder 47 in which :a reciprocatable piston (not shown) is positioned. Attached to such piston -and extending through one end of the cylinder is a piston rod 48, which is bolted or otherwise suitably connected to an upright iiange 49 secured to the slide member 46, as seen best in FIG. 4.

Preferably, cylinder 47 is bolted or otherwise secured to a brace member 51 which is connected at one of its ends to the supporting frame 24 for the hopper structure and to supporting plate 33, and at its other end to a second brace member 52 connected to the aforementioned framework 32, las seen in FIG. 2. In this manner, the piston and the piston rod 48 with the slide member 46 attached thereto are mounted above the table over which the successive bags are moved by the conveyor.

Supporting plate 33 extends for a substantial distance on opposite sides of the handle applying station 3 and, in addition to its handle supply supporting function, also serves as a bag hold down plate which insures proper positioning of the respective bags of the series as the same pass the handle applying station. That is, plate 33 is positioned above the table 22 on which the bags are supported and the bags pass between such table and the plate in their travel past the handle applying station. To assist in supporting the plate 33 over table 22, channel brackets S2 and 53 are secured to the underside of the hopper supporting frame 24 and are connected to plate 33.

A pai-r of opposite spaced guide rails 54 and 55 lare secured to the top surface of plate 33. It is between such guide rails 54 and 55 and over the surface of plate 33 that the slide member 46 .reciprocates with its lower surface in contact with the top surface of the supporting plate. That is, such guide rails cooperate to form a guide Way for the reciprocatable slide member.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be noted that the slide member reciprocates in the same general direct-ion as the direction of movement of the bags by the conveyor. However, it has been found that by moving the slide member at an oblique angle, preferably of the order of about 45, relative to the direction of movement of lthe bags, effective handle `feeding and positioning can be effected.

It should be understood that upon each reciprocating stroke of the slide member one handle will be removed from the bottom of the handle supply and urged generally laterally through hopper `slot 36 into engagement with a predetermined portion of the bag which at that moment is passing the handle applying station. In the embodiment illustrated, the slide member is so arranged and the timing between the conveyor and reciprocation of the slide member is such that each handle Withdrawn from the hopper is positioned generally vcentrally of each bag with the thin portion 14 of each handle in general alignment with an end margin at the open end of such bag'as seen in FIG. 1. It should be understood, however, thatA a modification of the arrangement illustrated could be employed to locate the handle at other bag positions as may become desirable,

InV each of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4,V slide member 46 is the handle applying station.

shown in an extended position in which the lowermost handle has been Withdrawn from the hopper and positioned in engagement with a bag passing the handle applying station. In such condition, the handle supply remaining in Ithe hopper and the floating mandrel 33 are supported by and engaged with the upper surface of the slide member. However, upon retraction of the slide member relative to the hopper, the handle supply and mandrel move downwardly under the force of gravity and are supported in their normal position on the supporting plate 33 until the next reciprocating stroke of the slide member is effected.

As noted previously, operation o-f the slide member is carried out in timed relationship with movement of the bags past the handle .applying station. To effect such timed operation, means preferably of the electric type is employed. As seen in FIG. 2, a double acting microswitch S6 is positioned Iabove the path of bag travel on a supporting rod 57 mounted above the bag table 22 and secured to the aforementioned framework 32 A switch actuator 58 depends from the switch 56 to a location beneath the level at which the bags are carried on the table so as to be contacted by each bag passing beneath the switch.

Preferably, the switch is electrically connected to a solenoid illustrated schematically at 59 which controls an air valve 61 shown schematically connected to the aforementioned air cylinder 47 in which the piston for actu-ating the slide member 46 is located. The switch actuator 58 is normally spring urged to its downward position in which the solenoid circuit is opened so that air is sent by .the air valve 6l through a conduit 62 into engagement with the .forward surface of the piston, (i.e. the surface closest to the hopper) in cylinder 47 to effect retraction of the slide.

However, upon the leading edge of a bag striking the switch actuator SS, the actuator is raised by the bag and rides thereover to close the solenoid circuit, which effects operation of the air valve 6I to close off conduit 62 and to direct air through another conduit 63 into engagement wi-th the rear surface of the piston in the cylinder 47 to effect advancement of the `slide toward the hopper and feeding of the lowermost handle of the supply into engagement with the bag thus actuating the microswitch.

When the trailing edge of the bag clears the switch actuator 58, the vcircuit will again be opened and the piston 48 will be retracted due to the `air valve 6i again directing air through conduit 62 into engagement with the front surface :of the piston in cylinder 47. This procedure is repeated sequentially upon each bag striking and subsequently clearing the switch actuator 5S, so that bag handles are successively .fed in timed relationship with movement of the bags past the handle applying station.

As mentioned previously, an important object of this invention is the application of la handle to a bag simultaneously with clos-ing or" such bag. To effect such closing, the aforementioned closing tape 6 desirably is employed in combination with additional closing means to be described. A supply of such tape 66 is positioned in roll form on a supporting shaft 67 which provides mounting means for the tape supply adjacent the handle applying station.'

The tape as it is withdrawn from the supply 66 passes over a guide roller 68 adjacent-one end of the tape folder f7, mentioned previously. As seen in FEGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6, the tape is carried over the folder and the shape ofthe folder is such that the normally flat tape is transformed into increasingly converging V-shape, so that the same is` folded over the bag end into contact with opposite surfaces of the bag as the bag moves past Withdrawal of the tape is effected by its contact with the bag and the subsequent securing thereof to the bag in a manner to bedescribed. That is, on the tape has been applied to the bag a 7 continuous length thereof is withdrawn automatically upon continued bag movement relative to the tape supply.

It is just prior to complete folding of the tape over a bag end that a handle is preferably inserted by the slide member 46 between one portion of the folded tape and the bag surface in the manner shown in FIG. 4. As folding of the tape over the bag and a portion of the handle is completed by the tape folder, the handle is in effect clamped between the tape and the upper bag surface so that the handle will be moved with the tape and bag from the handle applying station, so that it may subsequently be secured to the bag end. As seen in FIG. 4, the slide member 46 maintains the handle in engagement with the bag end until the tape is fully folded. Because the end of the slide member is provided with a straight portion 70, the handle may slide over the member i6 when the member is in its extended position as the handle is carried by the folded tape from the handle applying station.

To facilitate insertion of the handle between the tape and the bag end, an L-shaped plate 71 is riveted or bolted to the front wall 26 of the hopper adjacent its bottom as seen in FlGS. 4 and 6. Each handle fed from the hopper by the slide member 46 passes beneath the horizontal portion of plate 71 while the upper portion of the folded tape is formed by the tape folder 7 over the horizontal portion of the plate 71. In this manner, plate 71 supports the upper portion of the tape as the same is folded until the handle has been properly located by the slide member, as seen in FIG. 6.

Following proper positioning of each handle on its respective bag at the handle applying station, the handle is carried with the tape and its associated bag to the adjacent station 8 mentioned previously at which the tape and handle are secured to the bag end. At such station, a conventional stitching machine 73 preferably is provided. As such stitching machines are Well known in the bag manufacturing art, the same has been illustrated only schematically in the drawings.

Preferably, the stitching machine is located closely adjacent the tape folder so that one end of the handle is held in position by the tape folder and the extended slide member as the stitching is initiated through the other handle end. In this fashion, proper positioning of the handle on the bag is maintained until the handle is securely stitched in place.

The function of the stitching machine is to apply a continuous line of stitching through the length of tape folded over the end of each bag, through the handle applied thereto, and through the walls of the bag, as the bag is carried by the conveyor past the stitching station. That is, a continuous line of stitching 74 is applied, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, through each bag for closing the bag end while simultaneously securing the carrying handle thereto and the tape thereover.

Preferably, the tape 6 applied over the bag end is of the adhesive type which will seal the bag end closed. For this purpose, one surface of the tape may be provided with a coating of wettable adhesive but preferably the adhesive is of a heat scalable Variety, such as heat softenable polyethylene, which may be softened either prior to or subsequent to its attachment to the bag. in this regard, the tape folder 7 may be heated to effect such softening if a heat scalable adhesive is employed, or separate heat sealable rollers (not shown) may be employed at a separate station after the tape has been applied over the bag end.

Because the tape is withdrawn in a substantially continuous length from the tape supply 66, and because the line of stitching 74 is applied over the tape and through the respective bag ends in continuous fashion, as each bag leaves the stitching station 8 it is interconnected with bags on opposite sides thereof by the tape and stitching. Accordingly, means for separating the respective bags of the series from each other is provided at station 9 mentioned previously.

Such means may be embodied in any suitable cutter t?. 76, as shown schematically in FIGS. l and 2. Preferably, a solenoid actuated cutter is employed which is controlled by a second microswitch 77 (FIG. 2) secured to rod 57 above the conveyor from which a switch actuator 78 depends into the path of bag travel. Switch 78 is electrically connected with the cutter 76 in any well known fashion.

In the embodiment illustrated, switch 77 is arranged so that it actuates cutter 76 in a first direction when the actuator is in its down position out of engagement with a bag. That is, as the switch actuator clears the trailing edge of a bag, the cutter 76 is activated and severs the tape and line of stitching in advance of the next bag in the series. Subsequently, as the actuator 78 is contacted by the leading end of such subsequent bag, the cutter is de-activated and returns to its rest position and is held there until the actuator clears the trailing end of such subsequent bag. At that time, another cutting cycle is effected.

In this way, each bag of the series is automatically separated from the remaining bags of the series without interrupting movement of the bags.

Having made a full disclosure of this invention, reference is directed to the appended claims for a determination of the scope to be afforded thereto.

We claim:

1. A method of closing an open end of each successive bag of a series of bags while simultaneously securing a carrying handle over an outer surface of each such bag, comprising continuously moving a series of discrete preformed bags in succession in one general direction and in spaced relationship to a first station, each of said preformed bags of said series having a plurality of Walls arranged in substantially flat relationship and an open end to be closed simultaneously with the securing of a handle over an outer surface of an outer of such walls; adjacent said first station providing an upright stack of preformed handles; slidably feeding llowermost individual handles from said stack in the direction of but oblique to said one general direction while maintaining the lower surface of such handle substantially in engagement with the outer surface of such bag wall, said feeding being in timed relationship to movement of successive bags relative to said first station; while said bag walls are arranged in said substantially flat relationship positioning a handle over an outer surface of each successive bag of said series adjacent an end of such bag at said first station; moving the successive bags of said series with handles positioned thereon to a second station; and at said second station applying a line of stitching through the handle and the end of each bag of said series so that each bag end is closed as a handle is simultaneously secured over an outer surface thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 in which a continuous line of stitching is applied through all successive bags of said series at said second station; said method further including moving said series of successive bags connected together by said line of stitching to a third station; and at said third station severing said stitching on opposite sides of each successive bag of said series to separate the bags of said series from each other.

3. A method of closing and sealing an open end of each successive bag of a series of bags while simultaneously securing a carrying handle over an outer surface of each such bag, comprising continuously moving a series of discrete preformed bags in succession in one general direction and in spaced relationship with a substantially uninterrupted motion to and past a first station, each of said preformed bags of said series having a plurality of Walls arranged in substantially' flat relationship and an open end to be closed and sealed simultaneously with the securing of a handle over an outer surface of an outer of such walls; adjacent said first station providing an upright stack of preformed handles and a supply of bag end closing tape; slidahly feeding lowermost individual handles from said handle stack in the direction of but oblique to said one general direction While maintaining the lower surface of such handle substantially in engagement with the outer surface of such bag Wall, said feeding being in timed relationship to movement of successive bags past said first station; While said Walls are arranged in said substantially flat relationship and as each successive bag passes said first station positioning a handle over an outer surface of such bag adjacent an end thereof in timed correlation with movement of such bag; simultaneously with such positioning of a handle on each successive bag folding a length of said tape from said tape supply over such bag end and over a portion of the handle positioned thereon; moving the successive bags of said series With a continued substantially uninterrupted motion with lengths of tape and handles positioned thereon to and past a second station; and at said second station applying a line of stitching through the folded tape, the handle and the end of each bag of said series in succession so that each bag end is closed and sealed as a handle is simultaneously secured over an outer surface thereof.

4. The method of claim 3 in Which a continuous length of tape is fed from said tape supply and is applied to all successive bags of said series, and in which a continuous line of stitching is applied through said continuous length of tape and through such successive bags; said method further including moving said successive bags connected together by said tape and said line of stitching to and past a third Station with a continued substantially uninterrupted motion; and at said third station severing said tape and stitching on opposite sides of each successive bag of said series to separate the bags of said series from each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 1,734,287 Cornell Nov. 5, 1929 1,796,334 Kristofek et al Mar. 17, 1931 2,045,188 Joyce June 23, 1936 2,211,511 Melzer et al Aug. 13, 1940 2,272,716 Lowe Feb. 10, 1942 2,313,433 Golden Mar. 9, 1943 2,469,536 Winesett May 10, 1949 2,524,982 Levitt Oct. 10, 1950 2,947,464 Newton Aug. 2, 1960 3,044,425 Ross July 17, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 590,802 Canada Ian. 12, 1960 

1. A METHOD OF CLOSING AN OPEN END OF EACH SUCCESSIVE BAG OF A SERIES OF BAGS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY SECURING A CARRYING HANDLE OVER AN OUTER SURFACE OF EACH SUCH BAG, COMPRISING CONTINUOUSLY MOVING A SERIES OF DISCRETE PREFORMED BAGS IN SUCCESSION IN ONE GENERAL DIRECTION AND IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO A FIRST STATION, EACH OF SAID PREFORMED BAGS OF SAID SERIES HAVING A PLURALITY OF WALLS ARRANGED IN SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT RELATIONSHIP AND AN OPEN END TO BE CLOSED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE SECURING OF A HANDLE OVER AN OUTER SURFACE OF AN OUTER OF SUCH WALLS; ADJACENT SAID FIRST STATION PROVIDING AN UPRIGHT STACK OF PREFORMED HANDLES; SLIDABLY FEEDING LOWERMOST INDIVIDUAL HANDLES FROM SAID STACK IN THE DIRECTION OF BUT OBLIQUE TO SAID ONE GENERAL DIRECTION WHILE MAINTAINING THE LOWER SURFACE OF SUCH HANDLE SUBSTANTIALLY IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OUTER SURFACE OF SUCH BAG WALL, SAID FEEDING BEING IN TIMED RELATIONSHIP TO MOVEMENT OF SUCCESSIVE BAGS RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST STATION; WHILE SAID BAG WALLS ARE ARRANGED IN SAID SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT RELATIONSHIP POSITIONING A HANDLE OVER AN OUTER SURFACE OF EACH SUCCESSIVE BAG OF SAID SERIES ADJACENT AN END OF SUCH BAG AT SAID FIRST STATION; MOVING THE SUCCESSIVE BAGS OF SAID SERIES WITH HANDLES POSITIONED THEREON TO A SECOND STATION; AND AT SAID SECOND STATION APPLYING A LINE OF STITCHING THROUGH THE HANDLE AND THE 